Question

Which one of the following pairs of causative agent and disease type are correct?
I. Leishmania – Sleeping sickness
II. Nematode – Elephantiasis
III. Trypanosoma – Kala-azar
IV. Staphylococcus – Acne
A. I and II
B. II and III
C. II and IV
D. III and IV

Answer 1

A condition which affects a part or whole of our body is known as a disease. The conditions often negatively affect us. Diseases can be caused either due to malfunction of any of our body systems or due to invasion by pathogens like bacteria, virus, fungi, worms, etc.

Complete answer:
Sleeping sickness is a common disease in sub Saharan Africa. It is caused by a parasitic kinetoplastid called Trypanosoma. The vector of the protist is a fly called the tsetse fly. The disease occurs in two stages – the hemolytic and the neurological stages. Clinical symptoms of the hemolytic phase are general symptoms like fever, headache, nausea, skin rashes, etc. The neurological phase starts once the parasite has crossed the blood brain barrier and invaded the Central Nervous System. Sleeping sickness can be treated with certain medicines available in the market. However, if left untreated, this disease results in death.
Elephantiasis is caused by a worm called Wuchereria bancrofti. It is a Filarial worm that belongs to phylum Nematoda. These worms are transmitted by many mosquito species and cause swelling of parts of the lymphatic system in human beings. The clinical symptoms of the disease are edema and hypertrophy caused by obstruction of lymph glands in the body.
Kala azar or leishmaniasis is prevalent in India. It is caused by a parasite Leishmania donovani. The parasite is transmitted through sandfly vectors Phlebotomus argentipes. The parasite invades the visceral organs like liver spleen and bone marrow. Clinical symptoms include fever, fatigue and swelling of the visceral organs. If left untreated, Kala azar can lead to death of the infected individual.
Acne vulgaris or acne is caused by excessive growth of the bacteria Cutibacterium acnes on the skin. The disease is characterized by scars, pimples, blackheads and whiteheads. The infection caused by Corynebacterium acnes often results in folliculitis, that is inflammation of hair follicles present on the skin. These inflamed areas are colonized by Staphylococcus bacteria which aggravate the disease. The condition is often seen in individuals who consume a high amount of carbohydrates and sugar in their diet or have conditions like Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome. Over the counter medications, adequate skin care can help control the symptoms.
Therefore, we can conclude that Elephantiasis is caused by a nematode worm and acne is caused by Staphylococcus bacteria.
Hence, option (c) is correct.

Note: Disease is caused by various bacteria, fungi, worms, protozoan organisms. They affect our body systems negatively and are generally parasites. Proper sanitation, vaccination, maintaining hygienic conditions and self-care can help prevent diseases. The kala azar is one such disease caused by a parasite called Leishmania donovani and acne – a major skin condition of adolescents is caused by the Staphylococcus bacteria.